New movie 'Mistress America' creates strong roles for women

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The new movie "Mistress America" hits theaters Friday, and the "slice-of-New-York" story has been part of actress Greta Gerwig's life for many years.

She not only stars in the movie, she also co-wrote and produced it. Her character Brooke, is charismatic, ambitious and a bit directionless. She's a singer, restaurateur, interior decorator, math coach and spinning instructor who lives life to its fullest.

The movie is Gerwig's second screenplay with co-writer and director Noah Baumbach. She says she loves writing, and especially, loves language.

"Writing has always been a part of what I love to do," Gerwig said. "Film is obviously a visual medium. I think a lot of screenwriting instructions say, 'Show don't tell, don't have your characters say it.' And I think - for me, I've always loved the movies where they've talked too much and too fast like 'His Girl Friday,' '20th Century,' 'Holiday' or 'Bringing Up Baby.' Those are my favorite movies and they are not short on words."

Gerwig considers a finished script its own work of art.

"We don't do any improvisation," she said. "Actors don't change lines and we really try to treat the script as a piece of writing that could stand on its own."

Gerwig admits there aren't enough strong roles for women on the big screen, but she says she writes because she loves it.

"Not merely to create roles for myself," Gerwig said. "Although it's a nice side benefit of it!"

"Mistress America" is rated R for language.